Custom Wedge for a Sidewinder and Curt E-16 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch

Question:

camping world installed a curt e-16K hitch in my 5.5foot bed on my 2006 F-150 ford truck. they installed a sw16k sidewinder on my 31.1foot 5th wheel camper.they used the universal wedge with the sidewinder. I was towing the camper home and when I made the turn in my drive way, the camper struck my truck,breaking my rear window and denting the cab on my truck. I had also spoke with Bill and he informed me that it my take the custom wedge 30861. In my research on etrailer.com, it states that the custom wedge 30861 is to be used with the curt E16 K hitch. Reviewing your diagrams the curt E16 K hitch I have installed looks like the #1 drawing. Please let me know what I should do. find attached photo of the hitch and sidewinder.Thanks

asked by: Don K

Expert Reply:

If the universal wedge you are using with your Sidewinder did not lock out the pivot point of the trailer at the hitch, which is what the purpose of a wedge is, then that is what would have caused the problem.

When the wedge locks out the pivot point that will allow the trailer to pivot 22 inches further back. But the turret on a Sidewinder (which is where it pivots 22 inches back) can also be locked out. So if the wedge was not in the right place and the turret was locked out the trailer would pivot at the hitch instead of 22 inches back.

I do recommend going with the custom wedge # RP64FR since it will be the best fit for the Curt E-16 hitch that you have, # C16115. If you go with the universal wedge then the first configuration shown in the picture would be what I would use as well. But the universal wedge is not going to be as effective as a custom wedge.

expert reply by: Michael H